System and Method for Soil Saturation and Digging

ABSTRACT

A system and method for soil saturation and digging is disclosed. First, a system for soil saturation and digging is disclosed. Said system comprises a digging tool having a first end and a second end, a pipe having a first end and a second end, a hose socket, a nozzle, a trigger, and a shield. Said pipe having an axial body capable of transporting a fluid between said first end and said second end of said pipe. Said hose socket capable of receiving a hose comprising said fluid. Said nozzle capable penetrating a surface and a subsurface and of spraying said fluid into said subsurface. Said trigger is capable of controlling a flow of said fluid. Said shield capable of redirecting a diverted fluid displaced by said digging tool. Wherein, said nozzle attaches to said first end of said digging tool, said hose socket attaches to said second end of said digging tool, and said shield attached around said pipe. Next, a method for soil saturation and digging is disclosed. Next, a method for soil saturation and digging is disclosed. Said method comprising injecting a fluid through a surface and into a subsurface comprising attaching a hose to a digging tool having a nozzle and an internal channel, aligning said nozzle with a point on said surface, running said fluid through said hose and said internal channel within said digging tool, spraying said fluid out of said nozzle and into said surface and said subsurface, and continuing to spray said fluid into said surface and said subsurface as required. Finally, another system for soil saturation and digging is disclosed. Said system comprising a digging tool having a first end and a second end, a pipe having a first end and a second end and an axial body capable of transporting a fluid between said first end and said second end, a hose socket capable of receiving a hose comprising said fluid, a nozzle capable of penetrating a surface and a subsurface and of spraying said fluid into said subsurface, and a trigger capable of controlling a flow of said fluid. Said nozzle attaches to said first end of said digging tool and said hose socket attaches to said second end of said digging tool.

This disclosure relates generally to a system and method for soil saturation and digging. Further, this disclosure claims the benefit of provisional application No. 61/360,349, filed Jun. 30, 2010.

BACKGROUND

In one embodiment, Mr. Zizak disclosed a post hole borer (U.S. Pat. No. 3,638,741). Said post hole borer can comprise a hydraulic boring tool comprising, a cylindrical member, and inner cylindrical member connected thereto at the extremities of the cylindrical members and spaced therefrom to define an annular area therebetween, a pair of handles connected to the first named cylindrical member, one of said handles having a passage therethrough connected to the annular area between the cylindrical members, valve means associated with the passage and adapted to open and close the same, a plurality of apertures positioned around the connection between the cylindrical members at the extremity opposite the handle members, said handle member having the passage therethrough being adapted to be connected to a source of water under pressure, and said inner cylindrical member being open at both extremities. Although a suitable tool for hydraulic digging, said post hole borer is limited for a variety of other uses. Namely, said post hole borer, as disclosed, is designed for digging post holes and would not be suitable for everyday garden digging, or for loosing soil around an existing object for removal of said object. Further, said post hole borer does not provide a shield for protection its user from diverted liquid splashing back at said user during operation. Further, due to a plurality of cylindrical members in said post hole digger, said extremity opposite the handle members is likely to have trouble penetrating a surface without the use of a tool, such as a toothed or serrated outer cylinder defining a saw-type surface to engage the earth and loosen the same as said post hole borer tool is used. In one embodiment, said post hole borer can “erode the soil and the water will carry the soil along with the water up through the interior of the inner cylinder to be discharged out of the aperture in the top flange of the cylindrical structure”; accordingly, said post hole borer is not well suited for saturating a subsurface without leaving said subsurface otherwise intact without removing said subsurface.

Several embodiments require a vehicle to carry a large and complex digging apparatus. Such embodiments comprise a pressurized liquid or gas for breaking apart earth, a vacuum for lifting excess earth and/or liquids from the point of digging. Such embodiments are limited, however, as they require a vehicle for operation. They are not suited individual users in common household cases due to their size and complexity. Due to the need of said vehicle and said vacuum, such embodiments are complex and generally only suited for larger jobs.

In another embodiment, a water pressure post-hole digger (tool) is disclosed by Mr. Sikes (U.S. Pat. No. 6,196,337 B1). In one embodiment of Sikes, said tool includes an elongate conduit member having an upper end for receiving a flow of water under pressure and a lower end; and an enlarged mandrel member mounted to said lower end of said conduit member, said mandrel member comprising: an elongate body portion having upper and lower ends and a generally circular cross section; a generally axial bore formed in said body portion for passage of said flow of water there through; a nozzle opening formed at said lower end of said body portion for discharge of said flow of water therefrom; and a generally conical taper on said lower end of said body portion for accelerating and directing said flow of water into a generally annular passage around said body portion; so that said flow of water which is discharged from said nozzle opening excavates a bottom of a post-hole bore and flows upwardly through annular passage around said body so as to remove soil material along upwardly-extending sides of said bore. As such, Sikes discloses a hydraulic digging tool. Nonetheless, Sikes leaves much to be desired; for example, said embodiment provides a means of excavating a subsurface rather than saturating and loosening said subsurface without removing the same. Further, said embodiment does not provide a shield to prevent excavated subsurface material from splashing back at users of said embodiment. Likewise, said embodiment does not provide a means of minimizing disbursed subsurface material. Further, Sikes requires a conical shaped end on his disclosure. Finally, said embodiment has a large and problematic mandrel which will cause problems when inserting said embodiment into a surface and into said subsurface.

Accordingly, a system and method for soil saturation and digging would be advantageous.

SUMMARY

A system for soil saturation and digging is disclosed. Said system comprises a digging tool having a first end and a second end, a pipe having a first end and a second end, a hose socket, a nozzle, a trigger, and a shield. Said pipe having an axial body capable of transporting a fluid between said first end and said second end of said pipe. Said hose socket capable of receiving a hose comprising said fluid. Said nozzle capable penetrating a surface and a subsurface and of spraying said fluid into said subsurface. Said trigger is capable of controlling a flow of said fluid. Said shield capable of redirecting a diverted fluid displaced by said digging tool. Wherein, said nozzle attaches to said first end of said digging tool, said hose socket attaches to said second end of said digging tool, and said shield attached around said pipe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C illustrate a digging tool in a side, top, and bottom view, respectively.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D illustrate an overview, a first side view, a front view, and a second side view of shield, respectively.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate a top view, side view, and bottom view of handle, respectively.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a front and rear view of handle 101, respectively.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a first view of a hose and a second view of hose with digging tool.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate system and method for soil saturation and digging penetrating a surface and loosening a subsurface, respectively.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C illustrate a top, side, and front view of a fluid tank, respectively.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a top and side view of a mobile digging tool, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein is a system and method for soil saturation and digging. The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention as claimed and is provided in the context of the particular examples discussed below, variations of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation (as in any development project), design decisions must be made to achieve the designers' specific goals (e.g., compliance with system- and business-related constraints), and that these goals will vary from one implementation to another. It will also be appreciated that such development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the field of the appropriate art having the benefit of this disclosure. Accordingly, the claims appended hereto are not intended to be limited by the disclosed embodiments, but are to be accorded their widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C illustrate a digging tool 100 in a side, top, and bottom view, respectively. In one embodiment, system and method for soil saturation and digging can comprise a digging tool 100. Digging tool 100 can comprise a handle 101, a pipe 102, a shield 103, a nozzle 104, and a trigger 105. In one embodiment, handle 101 can comprise a trigger grip 106. In one embodiment, handle 101 can attach to pipe 102 with a connector 107, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1C. Pipe 102 can comprise a first end 108 a and a second end 108 b. Digging tool 100 can comprise a first end 109 a and a second end 109 b.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D illustrate an overview, a first side view, a front view, and a second side view of shield 103, respectively. Shield 103 can comprise a back portion 201, a side portion 202, a front edge 203, a central aperture 204, one or more back apertures 205, and one or more side apertures 206. In one embodiment, central aperture 204 can comprise a hole in said back portion 201. In one embodiment, shield 103 can attach to digging tool 100 by inserting pipe 102 through central aperture 204. In one embodiment, shield 103 can be secured to digging tool 100 by attaching shield 103 to digging tool 100 and preventing shield 103 from sliding off of pipe 102 where an internal diameter of central aperture 204 is smaller than an external diameter of nozzle 104. In one embodiment, said side portion 202 can surround and extend substantially perpendicular to back portion 201. In one embodiment, nozzle 103 can be added to digging tool 100 by sliding second end 108 b through central aperture 204, then attaching second end 108 b to connector 107. In one embodiment, back portion 201 can be substantially circular (or rounded at its edges); wherein side portion 202 can comprise a substantially circular wall around and substantially perpendicular to back portion 201, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2D. In one embodiment, shield 103 can comprise a cup shape. In one embodiment, shield 103 can comprise an open end 207 and a closed end 208; wherein said back portion 201 can comprise closed end 208 and said open end 207 can comprise an opening opposite said back portion 201. In one embodiment, shield 103 can attach to pipe 102 such that open end 207 faces first end 109 a and closed end 208 faces second end 109 b. In one embodiment, shield 103 can comprise one or more apertures, such as back apertures 205 and/or side apertures 206. In one embodiment, side apertures 206 can comprise holes in side portion 202. In one embodiment, back apertures 205 can comprise holes in back portion 201. In one embodiment, front edge 203 can comprise a flared edge about an edge of side portion 202 opposite from back portion 201 (open end 207), as shown in FIGS. 2A-2D. In one embodiment, nozzle 104 can comprise a flare at first end 108 a. In one embodiment, nozzle 104 can attach to first end 109 a. In one embodiment, pipe 102 can comprise an internal channel 209 comprising a substantially hollow channel within pipe 102. In one embodiment, pipe 102 can comprise an axial body, as illustrated in FIG. 2A.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate a top view, side view, and bottom view of handle 101, respectively. Handle 101 can comprise a nose 301, one or more grip materials 302, a first end 303 a, a second end 303 b, and a hose socket 304. In one embodiment, second end 303 b can comprise hose socket 304. In one embodiment, handle 101 can comprise an internal channel. In one embodiment, said internal channel can comprise a channel inside of handle 101, having a first end and a second end, said first end of said internal channel attaches to first end 108 a. In another embodiment, said first end of said internal channel attaches to connector 107, and connector 107 connects to first end 108 a. In one embodiment, hose socket 304 can attach to said second end of said internal channel. In one embodiment, digging tool 100 can comprise hose socket 304 located at second end 109 b. In one embodiment, trigger 105 can comprise a valve capable of controlling the movement of a fluid through said internal channel. In one embodiment, trigger 105 can comprise a rotating wheel (as illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3C) comprising a plurality of positions along a rotary path corresponding to a plurality of positions between open and closed in said internal channel. In one embodiment, handle 101 can be arranged for convenient gripping by a user. For example, in one embodiment, trigger 105 and trigger grip 106 can be arranged in a natural grip arrangement with trigger grip 106 under an index finger and trigger 105 under a thumb. Further, in one embodiment, grip materials 302 can comprise a material with a high coefficient of friction when wet. In one embodiment, grip materials 302 can comprise rubber. In one embodiment, grip materials 302 can comprise a plurality of materials or colors of materials.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a front and rear view of handle 101, respectively. Hose socket 304 can comprise a plurality of internal threads 401. In one embodiment, internal threads 401 can comprise a threaded socket capable of receiving a threaded hose. In one embodiment, handle 101 can comprise a internal channel 402 capable of transporting a fluid from second end 303 b to first end 303 a.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a first view of a hose 500 and a second view of hose 500 with digging tool 100. Hose 500 can comprise a head 501, a tube 502, and an external thread 503. In one embodiment, hose 500 can be attached to digging tool 100 by inserting head 501 into hose socket 304, and rotating head 501 relative to digging tool 100 until external thread 503 interlock with internal threads 401, as is known in the art.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate system and method for soil saturation and digging penetrating a surface 601 and loosening a subsurface 602, respectively. In one embodiment, subsurface 602 can comprise soil and surface 601 can comprise the top surface of said soil. System and method for soil saturation and digging can comprise a fluid 600 capable of loosening and/or saturating surface 601 and subsurface 602. The term “fluid” can comprise a substance whose molecules flow freely, so that it has no fixed shape and little resistance to outside stress, e.g. a liquid or a gas. In one embodiment, fluid can comprise compressed air. In another embodiment, fluid can comprise water. In one embodiment, said water can comprise pressurized water. Fluid 600 is understood to travel through hose 500 and digging tool 100 although it is illustrated beside the same in FIG. 6A. In one embodiment, digging tool 100 can comprise a plurality of internal channels, such as internal channel 209 and internal channel 402, capable of transporting fluid 600 between second end 108 b and first end 108 a. In one embodiment, hose socket 304 can receive hose 500 comprising fluid 600. In one embodiment, system and method for soil saturation and digging can saturate and/or loosen surface 601 and subsurface 602 by transporting fluid 600 from hose 500 to nozzle 104, and spraying fluid 600 into surface 601 and subsurface 602. In one embodiment, trigger 105 can comprise a valve capable of controlling the movement of fluid 600 through digging tool 100. In one embodiment, trigger 105 can comprise a locking mechanism capable of holding trigger 105 in a desired position. In another embodiment, said system and method for soil saturation and digging can comprise injecting fluid 600 into subsurface 602. In one embodiment, injecting fluid 600 into subsurface 602 can comprise attaching hose 500 to digging tool 100, aligning trigger 105 with a point on surface 601, running fluid 600 through hose 500 and said internal channels within digging tool 100, spraying fluid 600 out of trigger 105 and into surface 601 and subsurface 602, and continuing to spray fluid 600 into surface 601 and subsurface 602 as required. Further, in one embodiment, system and method for soil saturation and digging can further comprise trigger 105 controlling a valve within said internal channel; wherein running fluid 600 through hose 500 and said internal channel within digging tool 100 can comprise engaging trigger 105 to control 600 within digging tool 100. In one embodiment, penetrating surface 601 can comprise minimal force, allowing digging tool 100 to loosen subsurface 602 prior to pressing digging tool 100 into subsurface 602. In one embodiment, nozzle 104 can comprise a flare capable of causing fluid 600, exiting nozzle 104, to spray out of nozzle 104. In one embodiment, nozzle 104 can cause fluid 600 to spray in a plurality of directions in subsurface 602. In one embodiment, as fluid 600 exits said system and method for soil saturation and digging it can comprise a loosening fluid 603. In one embodiment, a portion of loosening fluid 603 can spray back out of subsurface 602, a portion of which can be redirected by shield 103; in one embodiment, this redirected loosening fluid 603 can comprise one or more diverted fluids 604. In one embodiment, diverted fluids 604 can hit shield 103 and spray out away from second end 108 b. In one embodiment, a portion of diverted fluids 604 can seep out of shield 103; thereby, diverted fluids 604 can be prevented from escaping shield 103 and spraying through central aperture 204. In one embodiment, shield 103 can slide freely between first end 108 a and second end 108 b. In one embodiment, shield 103 can slide to remain near surface 601 as first end 108 a penetrates into subsurface 602. In one embodiment, diverted fluids 604 can spray out of side apertures 206. In one embodiment, fluid 600 can comprise a fertilizer or pest control chemical to be applied below surface 601. In one embodiment, pipe 102 can comprise various lengths and gages of pipe. For example, in one embodiment, pipe 102 can comprise a two inch (2″) or less gage pipe. In another embodiment, pipe 102 can comprise a one-quarter inch (¼″) pipe 102. In one embodiment, using a narrower pipe 102 can cause fluid 600 to become more concentrated at time of application. In one embodiment, heavier gage pipe 102 can be used to ensure over anxious users are less likely to bend pipe 102 while using system and method for soil saturation and digging.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C illustrate a top, side, and front view of a fluid tank 700, respectively. In one embodiment, system and method for soil saturation and digging can comprise fluid tank 700. Fluid tank 700 can comprise a tank body 701, a pump handle 702, and a hose socket 703. In one embodiment, fluid tank 700 can contain fluid 600. In one embodiment, tank body 701 can comprise a substantially closed chamber containing fluid 600. In one embodiment, an internal pressure within tank body 701 can be increased by pumping pump handle 702. In one embodiment, said internal pressure along with fluid 600 can be selectively released from hose socket 703.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a top and side view of a mobile digging tool 800, respectively. Mobile digging tool 800 can comprise digging tool 100 attached to fluid tank 700. In one embodiment, digging tool 100 can attach to fluid tank 700 with hose 500. In one embodiment, hose 500 can comprise a first end 801 a and a second end 801 b. In one embodiment, digging tool 100 can attach to first end 801 a, and fluid tank 700 can attach to second end 801 b, as illustrated in FIGS. 8A. In one embodiment, system and method for soil saturation and digging can comprise spraying fluid 600 with mobile digging tool 800 by attaching fluid tank 700 to digging tool 100 with hose 500, ensuring fluid 600 is contained within fluid tank 700, increasing said internal pressure within fluid tank 700, and spraying fluid 600 with digging tool 100. In one embodiment, mobile digging tool 800 (or digging tool 100 alone) can comprise a useful tool for loosening subsurface 602 for the insertion of signs. For example, in one embodiment, digging tool 100 can loosen subsurface 602 for the insertion of real estate signs. In another embodiment, mobile digging tool 800 can be useful for any application of digging tool 100 where a ready source of pressurized fluid is inaccessible. In yet another embodiment, mobile digging tool 800 can be useful for mixing a fertilizer and/or insecticide into tank body 701 and thereafter applying fluid 600 bellow surface 601.

Various changes in the details of the illustrated operational methods are possible without departing from the scope of the following claims. Some embodiments may combine the activities described herein as being separate steps. Similarly, one or more of the described steps may be omitted, depending upon the specific operational environment the method is being implemented in. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments may be used in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” 

1. A system for soil saturation and digging comprising: a digging tool having a first end and a second end, a pipe having a first end and a second end and an axial body capable of transporting a fluid between said first end and said second end, a hose socket capable of receiving a hose comprising said fluid, a nozzle capable of penetrating a surface and a subsurface and of spraying said fluid into said subsurface, a trigger capable of controlling a flow of said fluid, and a shield capable of redirecting a portion of said fluid displaced by said digging tool; and wherein, said nozzle attaches to said first end of said digging tool, said hose socket attaches to said second end of said digging tool, and said shield attached around said pipe.
 2. The system for soil saturation and digging of claim 1 further comprising a handle having a first end and a second end; and wherein, said handle attaches to said second end of said pipe.
 3. The system for soil saturation and digging of claim 2 wherein said handle further comprises one or more grip materials such as rubber.
 4. The system for soil saturation and digging of claim 2 further comprising arranging said trigger and a trigger grip on said handle for use of said trigger grip under an index finger and said trigger under a thumb.
 5. The system for soil saturation and digging of claim 2 further comprising an internal channel inside of said handle having a first end and a second end; and wherein, said first end of said internal channel attaches to said second end of said pipe, and said hose socket attaches to said second end of said internal channel.
 6. The system for soil saturation and digging of claim 5 wherein said trigger comprises a valve capable of controlling movement of said fluid through said internal channel.
 7. The system for soil saturation and digging of claim 6 wherein said trigger comprises a rotating wheel comprising a plurality of positions along a rotary path corresponding to a plurality of positions between open and closed in said internal channel.
 8. The system for soil saturation and digging of claim 1 wherein said fluid comprises a gas.
 9. The system for soil saturation and digging of claim 1 wherein said fluid comprises a liquid.
 10. The system for soil saturation and digging of claim 1 wherein said fluid comprises water.
 11. The system for soil saturation and digging of claim 1 wherein said fluid comprises a fertilizer.
 12. The system for soil saturation and digging of claim 1 wherein said fluid comprises an insecticide.
 13. The system for soil saturation and digging of claim 1 wherein a pressure of said fluid is increased prior to entering said digging tool.
 14. The system for soil saturation and digging of claim 1 wherein said shield comprises a back portion, a side portion, a central aperture, an open end, and a closed end; and wherein, said central aperture comprises a hole in said back portion, said side portion comprises a side wall surrounding and extending substantially perpendicular to said back portion, said closed end comprises said back portion, said open end comprises an opening opposite said back portion, said shield attaches to pipe by inserting pipe through central aperture, and said shield is oriented where said open end is closer to said first end of said digging tool than said closed end.
 15. The system for soil saturation and digging of claim 14 wherein said back portion is substantially circular and said side portion comprise a circular wall around and substantially perpendicular to said back portion.
 16. The system for soil saturation and digging of claim 14 wherein said shield further comprises one or more apertures capable of redirecting a portion of said fluid.
 17. The system for soil saturation and digging of claim 14 wherein said apertures comprise one or more side apertures in said side portion.
 18. The system for soil saturation and digging of claim 14 wherein said nozzle comprises an external diameter larger than an internal diameter of said central aperture of said shield.
 19. The system for soil saturation and digging of claim 1 wherein said nozzle comprises a flare at said first end of said pipe.
 20. The system for soil saturation and digging of claim 19 wherein said flare in said nozzle is capable of causing said fluid to spray in a plurality of directions in said subsurface.
 21. The system for soil saturation and digging of claim 1 further comprising a hose comprising said fluid; and wherein, said hose attaches to said digging tool at said hose socket.
 22. The system for soil saturation and digging of claim 21 wherein said hose attaches to said digging tool at a first end and to a fluid tank at a second end; and wherein, said fluid tank comprises a reservoir of said fluid.
 23. The system for soil saturation and digging of claim 22 wherein said fluid tank comprises a pump handle capable of increasing an internal pressure within said fluid tank by pumping said pump handle.
 24. A method for soil saturation and digging comprising injecting a fluid through a surface and into a subsurface comprising: attaching a hose to a digging tool having a nozzle and an internal channel; aligning said nozzle with a point on said surface; running said fluid through said hose and said internal channel within said digging tool; spraying said fluid out of said nozzle and into said surface and said subsurface; and continuing to spray said fluid into said surface and said subsurface as required.
 25. The method for soil saturation and digging of claim 24 wherein said digging tool further comprises a trigger controlling a valve within said internal channel; and wherein, running said fluid through said hose and said internal channel within said digging tool comprises engaging said trigger to control said fluid within said digging tool.
 26. The method for soil saturation and digging of claim 25 wherein said trigger comprises a flare at a first end of said digging tool capable of causing said fluid, exiting said nozzle, to spray out of said nozzle.
 27. The method for soil saturation and digging of claim 24 wherein said digging tool further comprises a shield capable of diverting a portion of said fluid after spraying said fluid into said surface and said subsurface.
 28. The method for soil saturation and digging of claim 27 wherein said shield attaches to a portion of said digging tool and is capable of sliding along said portion of said digging tool as said digging tool is inserting into said subsurface.
 29. The method for soil saturation and digging of claim 27 wherein said shield comprises one or more apertures capable of further diverting said fluid.
 30. The method for soil saturation and digging of claim 24 wherein said fluid comprises a gas.
 31. The method for soil saturation and digging of claim 24 wherein said fluid comprises a liquid.
 32. A system for soil saturation and digging comprising: a digging tool having a first end and a second end, a pipe having a first end and a second end and an axial body capable of transporting a fluid between said first end and said second end, a hose socket capable of receiving a hose comprising said fluid, a nozzle capable of penetrating a surface and a subsurface and of spraying said fluid into said subsurface, and a trigger capable of controlling a flow of said fluid; and wherein, said nozzle attaches to said first end of said digging tool, and said hose socket attaches to said second end of said digging tool. 